Friday, April 30, 2010

Anna, Brook, Nicole, Sarah, Latoya, and Amanda of Troop 35 in Fayette recently earned their Silver Award. The girls collaborated with The Fayette’s Women’s Garden Club. They had a planning meeting with one of the members and then began their work. They started at Fayette’s hospital by dead heading the roses, then worked on Guthrie Smith Park by planting over 500 tulip bulbs and also planted pansies around the flag pole at the County Courthouse. As part of the beautification plan for the city, the girls worked at an event to help raise money and awareness and planted more bulbs in areas along local highways, as well as worked on the local scout hut to improve its looks as well. They have plans to continue to keep the plants trim and to replant flowers as needed.The Girl Scout Silver Award is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. This award symbolizes a Girl Scout Cadette’s accomplishments in Girl Scouting and community activities as she matures and works to better her life and the lives of others.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBS) and the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama (GSNCA) hosted a Career DevelopmentSeminar today for inner-city high school junior and senior girls and also gave out scholarships at the event.

The seminar held at the Birmingham Museum of Art exposed minority girls to successful minority women. Girls had the opportunity to hear several successful leaders speak about their experiences and topics such as interviewing skills and tips, finance and budgeting, ingredients for success, and stress management. Speakers included Sonja Bell, Dr. Sharon Carson Bell, Pamela Reed-Phipps, Samuel Pugh and Malinda Tankersly-White. Also on the panel was a student, Crystal Smitherman of Ramsay High School. Bettina Boateng of NBC13HD moderated the panel.

Jasmine Coleman of Fairfield High School, Darnetta Smith of Wenonah High School, Shanequa Roscoe of Carver High School, Tynacesha Keahey of Parker High School, Keinesha Johnson of Jackson-Olin High School and Malena Steve of Woodlawn High School all received scholarships at a luncheon following the seminar.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Three Girl Scouts had the opportunity to meet Danica Patrick at the Indy Grand Prix weekend at Barber Motorsports. The Girl Scouts presented her with a Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama patch and had a private autograph and photo session.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Through her Gold Project, Allison desired to improve the quality of life for the elderly. She chose to help the residents of the Oaks Assisted Living Facility stay in touch with nature by placing bird feeders outside the windows of their rooms. Allison recruited a Brownie Girl Scout troop to decorate and set up the feeders, educating them on what types of seeds attract different birds in the area. By leading the younger girls through the project, she taught them not only about birds, but also the importance of involving the elderly in activities with others. “It was rewarding to lead a project and see how much the residents enjoyed interacting with the Brownies,” said Allison. “Some of the elderly ladies even shared stories about being Girl Scouts when they were young.” Allison is a senior at John Carroll Catholic High School.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Courtney earned her Gold Award by addressing the growing issue of childhood obesity. The goal of her project was to educate the community on the importance of developing healthy eating habits at an early age. After thoroughly researching the topic, she created a presentation to give at different community events and also created a cookbook with healthy recipes for all ages. Courtney’s presentation included information about healthy eating, proper food storage, portion size, vitamins and minerals, and proper cooking temperatures. In addition, she utilized age-appropriate materials such as coloring books to teach younger children about nutrition in a fun way. “I learned to adopt healthier eating habits for myself as well, so I could serve as an example for my project,” shared Courtney. “I also learned how to set goals, rise to the challenge, and that I could achieve anything if I set my mind to it.”

Courtney is a senior at Oak Mountain High School and the daughter of Arthur and Judy of Birmingham.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Katherine’s Gold Award project addressed the need for an on-site first-aider at all Hope Christian School (HCS) sporting events. A second objective was to give HCS students the opportunity to learn more about careers in the field of athletic training. She worked with the athletic director of the school to plan a one-day clinic to get sports department staff certified in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR. Katie also helped implement a mandate for the school’s bylaws that an on-site first aider be required at all 2010 HCS-sponsored sporting events. In addition, she solicited the donation of several first aid kits from a local healthcare organization and a significant amount of first aid supplies that will go towards more kits for the school. As a result of her project, Katie decided to become an athletic trainer herself. “I learned that I do my best work, in school and my personal life, when I always have something to do to fill my time,” she revealed.

Katie is currently a freshman at the University of West Alabama, and is the daughter of Pamela and Bill of Jemison.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Jasmine employed her love of art to give back to her community through her Gold Award project. Her goal was to educate children on how to express themselves through creative art projects. Another objective was to teach herself leadership skills, which she accomplished by coordinating a team of volunteers to help carry out her vision and by soliciting donations for supplies. Jasmine challenged herself and her students with unique twists on simple art forms, for example, “green” beading using recycled pre-cut bottles instead of expensive beads to make bracelets. Towards the end of the program, she knew it had been a success by the excitement and anticipation of the children, who would greet her with hugs whenever they saw her coming to teach a class. “My project taught me patience and that by focusing on my goals, I could make a difference my community,” stated Jasmine.

She is a senior at John Carroll Catholic High School and the daughter of Cassandra of Birmingham.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

GSNCA appreciates the volunteers and community members who joined us for the “Bring Back our Bridge” meeting on Monday, April 5th. We had an audience with Commissioner Bobby Humphryes to express our desire for Jefferson County to restore the public bridge that also serves Camp Coleman. As the Commissioner shared, and we have known, the bridge belongs to County.

Many folks have asked how they can help. Girl Scouts has a keen interest in seeing the bridge reopened but we also know that ultimate responsibility for opening the bridge is the responsibility of the County. You can help by lobbying the Commissioners to make the bridge reopening a priority. We are not advocating that people begin a fundraising campaign because the bridge is the property of the County thus Girl Scouts cannot raise money for the County just as we cannot raise money for any other entity. Please do not send funds for the bridge because we cannot turn gifts around to the County.

We CAN continue to collect signatures on our petition and regularly communicate with the Commissioners through letters, calls and emails to let them know it is important. We CAN lobby the other public entities who can make donations of support of the bridge. And we CAN look forward to supporting Camp Coleman's 85th birthday. There will be many ways for you to support Camp Coleman.

We will update you as our efforts to communicate with the Commissioners continue and thank you for your support of Camp Coleman and Girl Scouts.